Cadillac concept the “Most significant”

I just returned from the 2009 Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards presentation at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich.

The top honor — Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2009 — went to the Cadillac Converj concept. An event spokesman said it won by a huge margin.

The Converj, like Chevrolet’s Volt, is powered by GM’s Voltec electric propulsion system. When running off its battery, it operates as a traditional battery-electric vehicle — with a driving range of up to 40 miles — which GM says is more than the average daily commute for three-quarters of Americans.

And when the Converj driver needs to go beyond 40 miles, a small engine-generator kicks in to generate enough electricity to keep the car going for hundreds of additional miles.

Those low profile tires with the apparently extremely restricted wheel movement (about 1.5 inches before the front wheel hits the bodywork if the wheels are turned) means it feels every bump. The write-up on it at cadillac.com claims it is 2+2, but from the pictures the two in the back seat would have to be pretty small.

Headroom appears minimal, so I hope the roof lining is well padded in view of the suspension limitations. I also hope it has TV to look at the view when reversing: it doesn’t appear to have outside rear view mirrors, and the high trunk and wide pillars mean the view from inside is minimal.

And of course there are those huge expanses of glass aimed at the sun. Ideal for catching some warmth in the Detroit winter, but for Houston you’d better have good air conditioning.

Why is Cadillac justifying the 40 mile range with what they claim is the average commute? Are they positioning the Converj in the market as a commuter car? The name “Converj” implies that even the most defensive driver is out of luck. Next name please, and when “Explode” comes up, here’s a hint, pass it up.

The profile looks are amazingly similar to the new Civic coupe, from the rack of the windshield, the waistline angle from the front to rear and the rear wheel position (a bit too far back imho, on both Civic and Cadillac).

If you like the not so new Cadillac look of the CTS I guess you’ll love this concept vehicle because it is very similar just on steroids. Makes me want to get into classics for what I think were/are better looks. One drawback though to sticking with them is poor emissions and fuel economy. The Converge even with all of its advanced technology does not appeal to me because its styling seems aimed more at the “look at me” approach rather than trying for classic good looks.